Do braces hurt?

Oral B states that getting braces does not hurt, but the process can create soreness in the mouth and teeth that can persist for up to a week. To mediate soreness, braces wearers can eat soft foods and use over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Oral B notes that braces can cause mouth sores because of their roughness, and this can be a source of pain. The site recommends using orthodontic wax on the brackets to prevent the sores and oral anesthetic to soothe the sores. Each time the braces get tightened, soreness can return for several days to a week as the teeth move.